In George Athas' study of the Tel Dan inscription he makes the point that what the jesus freaks insist is "house of david" is actually an aramaic place name. (The stele is written in Aramaic.)
Given the apparent size of the population, Athas makes the case that the site was little more than a palace for the local Egyptian governor which would not be inconsistent with other palace settings in the region. When the Egyptians withdrew whoever became the strong man took it over.
Think of it in medieval terms as a castle meant to serve as a strong hold for a given area.
Given the apparent size of the population, Athas makes the case that the site was little more than a palace for the local Egyptian governor which would not be inconsistent with other palace settings in the region. When the Egyptians withdrew whoever became the strong man took it over.
Think of it in medieval terms as a castle meant to serve as a strong hold for a given area.
